Sailors Gain Citizenship in Bremerton Ceremony

Pamela Brinkley hugs her son, sailor Jonathan Long of the Everett-based frigate USS Ingraham, Wednesday in Bremerton. Long, originally from New Brunswick, Canada, and nine other sailors gained their citizenship during a ceremony on the USS Turner Joy. (LARRY STEAGALL | KITSAP SUN)

LARRY STEAGALL

Pamela Brinkley hugs her son, sailor Jonathan Long of the Everett-based frigate USS Ingraham, Wednesday in Bremerton. Long, originally from New Brunswick, Canada, and nine other sailors gained their citizenship during a ceremony on the USS Turner Joy. (LARRY STEAGALL | KITSAP SUN)

LARRY STEAGALL

Chang Li, right, a corpsman at Naval Hospital Bremerton, was sworn in as a U. S. citizen on Wednesday during a ceremony on the USS Turner Joy in Bremerton Wednesday. Li is originally from China. Foreign nationals may serve in the U.S. armed forces if they have a green card or permanent resident status. (LARRY STEAGALL | KITSAP SUN)

LARRY STEAGALL

Chang Li holds his certificate of naturalization after becoming a U.S. citizen on Wednesday in Bremerton. Li, originally from China, is a corpsman at Naval Hospital Bremerton. (LARRY STEAGALL | KITSAP SUN)

LARRY STEAGALL

Pamela Brinkley wipes away a tear as her son, sailor Jonathon Long, left, is sworn in as a U.S. citizen on Wednesday. Long, originally from Canada, serves on the Everett-based frigate USS Ingraham. Jayson Atos, right, is a petty officer first class from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island who is originally from the Philippines. (LARRY STEAGALL | KITSAP SUN)

LARRY STEAGALL

Chang Li, a corpsman assigned to Naval Hospital Bremerton, was sworn in as a U.S. citizen Wednesday in Bremerton. Li is originally from China. Foreign nationals may serve in the U.S. armed forces if they have a green card or permanent resident status. (LARRY STEAGALL | KITSAP SUN)

LARRY STEAGALL

Ten Navy sailors officially became U.S. citizens on Wednesday during a ceremony on the deck of the USS Turner Joy in Bremerton. In addition to the usual rights and privileges to which all U.S. citizens are entitled, naturalization gives service members more opportunity for advancement and allows them to perform tasks for which a security clearance is required. (LARRY STEAGALL | KITSAP SUN)

LARRY STEAGALL

Aaron Stenseth, center, a sailor on Bremerton-based aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis, recites the oath of allegiance as he is sworn in as an American citizen. Stenseth is originally from the Philippines. (LARRY STEAGALL | KITSAP SUN)

LARRY STEAGALL

Judith Medilo, a petty officer third class stationed at Naval Station Everett, was the only woman to be sworn in as a U.S. citizen on Wednesday in Bremerton. Medilo is originally from the Philippines. (LARRY STEAGALL | KITSAP SUN)

LARRY STEAGALL

Aaron Ace Vital, center, a crew member on the Everett-based frigate USS Ingraham, shakes hands with Capt. Robert Johnson after officially becoming a U.S. citizen on Wednesday in Bremerton. Johnson, the commander of the regional Navy legal office, was the keynote speaker at Wednesday’s ceremony. Vital said citizenship will help him bring his family to the U.S. from the Philippines. (LARRY STEAGALL | KITSAP SUN)

LARRY STEAGALL

Chang Li, a corpsman stationed at Naval Hospital Bremerton, salutes during the playing of the national anthem on Wednesday. Li, originally from China, was among 10 sailors who became U.S. citizens during a ceremony held on the deck of the USS Turner Joy. (LARRY STEAGALL | KITSAP SUN)

LARRY STEAGALL

Ten Navy sailors officially became U.S. citizens on Wednesday during a ceremony on the deck of the USS Turner Joy in Bremerton. In addition to the usual rights and privileges to which all U.S. citizens are entitled, naturalization gives service members more opportunity for advancement and allows them to perform tasks for which a security clearance is required. (LARRY STEAGALL | KITSAP SUN)

LARRY STEAGALL

Jonathan Long, left, and Jayson Atos take the oath of allegiance during Wednesday’s naturalization ceremony aboard the U.S.S. Turner Joy in Bremerton. Long is originally from Canada and Atos is originally from the Philippines. (MEEGAN M. REID | KITSAP SUN)

Chang Li, left, and Aaron Ace Vital take the oath of allegiance during Wednesday’s naturalization ceremony aboard the USS Turner Joy in Bremerton. Li is originally from China and Vital is originally from the Philippines. (MEEGAN M. REID | KITSAP SUN)

Meegan M. Reid

Ben Silvera, who is stationed at of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, takes part in Wednesday’s naturalization ceremony aboard the USS. Turner Joy in Bremerton. Silvera is from the Philippines. (MEEGAN M. REID | KITSAP SUN)